It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beautiful and loving Mother, Nonna, Zia, Sister and Friend, Rina Emilia (Marton) De Pieri. Rina passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 5th, 2015 at the age of 80, surrounded by her family at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital.
Rina was born on November 3rd, 1935 in Zerman, Mogliano Veneto, Italy. At the age of 23, Rina left her family in Italy and made the long journey to Trail, BC to marry her fiancé, the love of her life, Pietro De Pieri. They settled in Fruitvale and raised their four children in the small home beside the post office. After 25 years of marriage, Pietro sadly passed away and Rina was left to raise her children. In 1990, she moved to Glenmerry to be closer to her son Vanni. He convinced her to purchase her home with the swimming pool, which became a place where family and friends made countless beautiful memories. She became known as, “Nonna” to many of the friends who visited her home. Vanni later tragically passed away in 1993, and Rina’s heart was broken. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Family was everything to Rina. She took great pleasure in caring for, cooking and baking for family and friends, as well as all who entered her home and swam at her pool. She was a proud member of the Italo Canadese as well as the Catholic Women’s League. She had an unwavering faith in God and spent countless hours praying for her family and friends. Despite the family tragedies she experienced, she was a pillar of strength and the anchor of her family. The most important thing she gave to them was the gift of faith.
Left to mourn are her children: Valli (Fred) Lorenzi, Andrew (Sandra) De Pieri and Nella (Tom) Mitchell. As well as her ten grandchildren: Melissa (Andrew) Borsato, Gina Lorenzi, Stefano, Vanni, Antonia, Marco and Sofia De Pieri, Julia, Alicia and Isabella Mitchell; sister-in-law: Britta De Pieri; brothers in Italy: Rino and Pietro Marton, along with numerous other cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family in Canada and Italy. She will also be extremely missed by the family dogs, especially her best friend, Kinah. Rina was predeceased by her husband, Pietro; son, Vanni and baby daughter Jo Ann; Parents, Luigi and Maria; sisters, Fedora, Elisa and Ofelia; brother, Orfemio; brother-in-Law, Girolamo; and sisters-in-law, Nora and Odilla.
As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital Health Foundation (Greatest Need) at 1200 Hospital Bench, Trail, BC, V1R 4M1 or online at www.kbrhhealthfoundation.ca
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, December 12, 2015 at 10:30 am at Holy Trinity Catholic Parish with Father Bart van Roijen, Celebrant. Entombment at the Trail Mausoleum to follow. Bill Clark of Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services™ has been entrusted with arrangements.
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence at the family’s online register at www.myalternatives.ca
Ciao Nonna, ti vogliamo tanto bene. Rest in Paradiso with Jesus until we see you again.